BARRE ó A Granite City man is being held without bail after he allegedly punched and strangled his girlfriend in front of her child Friday evening.

Kristopher A. Henry, 23, pleaded not guilty Monday to felony aggravated domestic assault in Washington County criminal court. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

According to the Barre police affidavit, police responded to a residence on Fairview Street for a reported domestic assault. Police said they spoke to the woman, who they said had numerous scratches and red marks on her right arm and both shoulders. Police also said she had dirt on her right arm and right pant leg.

The woman told police Henry wanted to use her phone but that she refused because she said Henry has a history of smashing phones. Police said she told them Henry then punched her in the stomach, took the phone and threw her keys in a tree. The woman said she became upset and started yelling at Henry, who then pushed her to the ground, causing the scratches and the dirt on her arm and clothes, according to police.

The woman told police Henry then held her down and punched her on the top of the head twice. The woman got free and grabbed her phone, according to police, but Henry grabbed her from behind and strangled her until she felt like she was going to pass out.

When questioned by police, Henry said he was trying to use the phone to find another place to live and denied punching or strangling the woman but admitted throwing the keys.

Henry is on probation for the unlawful mischief conviction, in which he admitted shooting a house with a BB gun while driving by because someone he knew had been assaulted and robbed during a drug deal there, according to the affidavit for that case.